Nigerian High Commission in London Accumulates £8.4 Million in Unpaid Congestion Charges

The Nigerian High Commission in London has amassed £8.4 million in unpaid congestion charges, according to a recent datasheet published by Transport for London (TfL). This debt has been accrued by diplomats since the introduction of the congestion charge in 2003 up until the end of last year.

The congestion charge, a scheme managed by TfL, requires a £15 daily fee for driving within central London during specific hours. This charge applies on weekdays from 7 am to 6 pm, and on weekends and bank holidays from noon to 6 pm. While there are exemptions and discounts for certain groups, including residents, taxis, and fully electric vehicles, diplomats generally do not qualify for these exemptions.

Diplomats have argued that the congestion charge is effectively a tax, from which they should be exempt under the Vienna Convention. However, TfL maintains that the charge is a service fee, and thus not exempt under diplomatic immunity provisions. “This means that diplomats are not exempt from paying it,” TfL stated in the datasheet.

TfL emphasized that while the majority of embassies in London comply with the congestion charge, a persistent minority, including the Nigerian High Commission, continue to refuse payment despite ongoing diplomatic efforts. The overall amount owed by various diplomatic missions in London now exceeds £143.53 million.